Introduction to Law

Law is a set of rules, regulation snd principles established and enforced by a governing authority to
regulate behaviour, to ensure justice and maintain order in a society. Laws are designed to govern
relationship between individual institutes and government setting standards for acceptance of conduct,
resolving disputes and providing mechanizm of sanctions. It is also a standarized accepted and agreed
rules circulating and implemented in a specific jurisdiction which keeps members organized and
protected from anyone who intends to do harm and maltreatment.

Experiences of law in the society are as follows;

The law is important for a society for it serves as a norm of conduct for citizens. It was also made to
provide for proper guidelines and order upon the behaviour for all citizens and to sustain the equity on
the three branches of the government. It keeps the society running, without law there would be survival
of the fittest and everyman for himself. Not an ideal lifestyles for most part.

The law is important because it acts as a guideline as to what is accepted in society. Without it there
would be conflicts between social groups and communuities. It is pivotal that we follow them. The law
allows easy adoption to changes that occur in the society.

Society is a 'web- relationship' and social change obviously means a change in the system of social
relationship where a social relationship is understood in terms of social processes and social interactions
and social organizations. Thus, the term 'social change' is used to indicate desirable variations in social
institutions, social processes and social organizations. It includes alteration, in the structure and
functions of the society. Closer analysis of the role of law via-à-vis social change leads us to distinguish
between the direct and the indirect aspects of the role of law.

1. It plays an important indirect role in regard to social change by shaping a direct impact on society. For
example, a law setting up a compulsory educational system.

2. On the other hand, law interacts in many cases indirectly with basic social institutions in a manner
constituting a direct relationship between law and social change. For example, a law designed to
prohibit polygamy.

Law plays an agent of modernization and social change. It is also an indicator of the nature of societal
complexity and it's attendant problems of integration. Further, the reinforcement of our belief in the
age-old panchayat system, the abolition of the abhorable practices of untouchability, child marriage,
sati, dowry etc are typical illustrations of social change being brought about in the country through laws.

Law is an effective medium of agency, instrumental in bringing about social change in the country or in
any region in particular. Therefore we rejuvenate our belief that law has been pivotal in introducing
changes in the societal structure and relationships and continues to be so.

Law certainly has acted as a catalyst in the process of social transformation of people where in the
dilution of caste inequalities, protective measures for the weak and vulnerable sections, providing for
the dignified existence of those living under wholesome conditions etc are illustrious examples in this
regard. Social change involves an alteration of socirty, it's economic structure, values and beliefs, and it'
economic, political and social dimensions also undergo modification. However social change does not
affect all aspects of society in the same manner.

While much of social change is brought about by material changed such as technology, new patterns of
production etc, other conditions are also necessary. For exame, as we have discussed it before legal
prohibition of untouchability in free India has succeeded because of inadequate social support.

Nonetheless, when law can not bring about change without social support, it still can cteate certain
preconditions for social change. Moreover, after independence, the constitution of India provided far-
reaching guidelines for change. It's directive principle suggested a blueprint for a new nation. The de-
recognition of the caste system, equality before the law and equal opportunities for all in economic,
political and social spheres were some of the high points of the Indian constitution.

The impacts of law in our daily life are as follows;

Laws have a daily impact on our lives whether they relate to social services, education, housing,
nutrition, food safety, consumer rights or the environment. Public policies such as legislation,
regulations, appropriations, new regulations for a current law or court decisions are used as solutions to
problems expressed by the public. These actions are the result of public issues that have been debated
and compromised through the policymaking processes. This basic element is the process used to solve a
public problem.

How often have you heard someone say, "There ought to be law!" Maybe you have heard someone else
say, "We need less government involvement!"

You may find that you lean toward one of these views as you talk about specific laws and how they
affect your life. Your viewpoint is based on your values which influence your analysis of a problem. You
may find that your neighbour's viewpoint is very different from yours because he or she has values
which differ from yours. This is why public policy decision making is by it's very nature controversial.

In respect to the first statement, "There ought to be law," we are finding that government's role in
policy making has increased as our society has become more complex. Technical subjects no longer have
a single solution. They have become a matter of public policy debate balancing values ranging from the
economy to the environment. In respect to the second statement, "We need less government
involvement," we must recognize the increased demand for government to provide fire/police
protection, income guarantees such as social security and medical support such as medicare, all of which
requires rules and regulations for administering them.

Citizens are recognizing that government is not just what happens in Washington but what happens
right in their local community. Individuals can maximize their influence on government's decisions by
becoming informed and participating in the policymaking process that shapes everyone's life.
Understanding the complexity of public decisions making can be easier when we look at some legislation
that relates to social services, education, housing, nutrition, food safety, consumer right or the
environment. These rules and regulations are the public policies intended to maintain the social and
economic order of society. They affect the economic well being and physical and mental health of
individuals and families. Public policies, however, may help or hinder individuals and families by
expanding or limiting their resources.

Conclusion

Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern
behaviour wherever possible. It shapes the politics, economic and society in numerous ways and serves
as a social mediator of relations between people. If the harm is criminalized in legislation, criminal law
offers means by which the state can persecute the prepetrator.

Constitutional law provides a framework for the creation of law, the protection of human rights and the
election of political representatives.

Administrative law is used to review the decisions of government agencies, while international law
hoverns affairs between sovereign states in activities ranging from trade to environmental regulation or
military action. The legal response to a given social or technological problem is therefore itself a major
social action which may aggravate a given problem or alleviate and help yo solve itself.
Reference

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